Chapter 5 - The Fatal Mistake
Thursday evening brought a fierce thunderstorm that knocked out the primary power grid of Lake Forest, plunging the sprawling estate into emergency generator light. The halls hummed with a low, rhythmic drone, casting long, eerie shadows across the marble floors.
I had put Emma to sleep in the staff quarters, locking the door securely behind her with strict instructions not to open it for anyone.
I crept back toward the west wing.
My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird. According to the plan Alessandro and I had hastily constructed that afternoon, I was to act as my normal self, carrying a fresh pot of coffee to his office at eight o'clock—the exact time Victor Vance was scheduled to arrive for a "private operational review."
When I reached the west-wing corridor, the heavy oak door to Alessandro’s office was cracked open just an inch.
I paused, pressing my back against the cold limestone wall, holding my breath.
"Drink up, Alex," Victor’s voice drifted out into the hallway, smooth and laced with venomous satisfaction. "Let’s seal the transition. Once you sign these transfer papers, you can retire to a quiet medical facility in Switzerland. You won't have to worry about shipping routes, board meetings, or enemies."
"You always were an ambitious bastard, Victor," Alessandro’s voice replied, steady and devoid of fear. "You planned the ambush on the interstate two years ago, didn't you? You wanted me paralyzed. You wanted me helpless."
A chilling chuckle echoed from inside the room.
"I wanted you out of my way," Victor corrected smoothly. "Paralyzing you was a bonus. It gave me time to dismantle your empire piece by piece while you sat rotting in this chair. And now, the final signature."
"I have one condition," Alessandro said.
"Name it."
"Tell me how it feels to know that a three-year-old child saw through your entire facade on her very first day in this house."
A sharp silence fell over the office.
"You're raving, Alex," Victor said, his voice dropping into a dangerous register. "The poison has finally reached your brain. Drink the scotch, sign the papers, and let's end this."
That was my cue.
I pushed the heavy oak door open wide, stepping into the dimly lit office with my head held high.
Victor spun around from the desk, his eyes widening in shock as he saw me standing there holding a tray with a silver water pitcher. Behind him, Alessandro sat upright in his wheelchair, his hands resting calmly on the armrests, his eyes locked onto Victor with the unblinking focus of a sniper.
"What is she doing here?" Victor snarled, turning back to Alessandro. "Did you invite staff into a confidential corporate meeting?"
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"Nora isn't staff anymore, Victor," Alessandro said quietly. "She’s family."
Victor’s face twisted into an ugly, furious scowl. He reached inside his suit jacket, his hand darting toward a concealed shoulder holster with blinding speed. "Then she dies with you."
